Why do I get "Window Installer, Preparing to install" each time I boot Windows?

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For all those having this issue with office 2007, despite the fact that you use Windows Install Clean Up and reinstall office several times, here is a clean solution.

Check this out:
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/microsoft.public.office.setup/browse_thread/thread/ba54b2457f1a2e32/?hl=en#

Answer is given by kimwind... on 15 May 2007

Before finding this answer, I had solved Word & powerpoint issues by fixing manually the registry (permission rights on HKCR/.pip) but I was still struggling with Excel and the stdole32.tlb message.

I used Process Monitor without any success (great tool that I highly recommend anyway: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx).

The script given by kimwind fixed it straight away (after 10 minutes execution, be patient, it is worthy and do not worry about the few registry entries that cannot be changed).

Good luck and thank you Kimwind!

fixed the problem. open regedit goto HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pip\ and change the permissions
SYSTEMS = Full COntrol
ADMINISTRATORS = Full Control
Everyone = Read

This one worked.

To fix the problem;

"Windows Installer Preparing to Install" do the following;

Start - Run - type "services.msc"

Scroll down to Windows installer and double click on Windows installer.

This brings up "Windows installer properties" change from "Manual" to "Disable", for the "Path to executable:" and apply.

Restart computer.

No more annoying errors, finally!!!

After windows repair, if you get the "Windows Installer Preparing to Install" window in every action you take, the following is really works!!!
[the thing that i couldn't get is: repairing is why so difficult? how can an end-user do these kind of things? this OS really sucks!]

Start - Run - type "services.msc"

Scroll down to Windows installer and double click on Windows installer.

This brings up "Windows installer properties" change from "Manual" to "Disable", for the "Path to executable:" and apply.

Restart computer.

No more annoying errors, finally!!! [again hate the windows whatever OS]

I just finished downloading Maplestory, but now it has said "Preparing to install..." for 20 minuetes.

The Windows Install Clean Up utility (search for that on the MS website under the knowledge base) did the trick for me.

I had this issue with office enterprise 2007. Managed to fix it really easily by just manually making a new shortcut to the programs. Just right click on desktop, New shortcut then browse to the program you want to open. Path for office 07 is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12. Might want to rename the icons after as Word is labeled WINWORD etc. Hope this helps

This can also result due to the .doc "open" command. Open File Explorer, select the Tools tab, select Folder Options, select the File Types tab, scroll down to ".doc", click the Advanced button, select "Open" and edit, uncheck "Use DDE" and make sure the command line for "Application used to perform action" ends with "%1". This works whenever this problem with MS Word comes back!

Broken MSI: if an unsolicited install pops up, look in event viewer, applications. It should tell you which {2345-453453-...} product was trying to install.
in the run box type:
MsiExec.exe /x{2345-453453-...product code from event viewer}
this will uninstall the broken file hopefully and not bother you again.

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